In the first six days of former President Donald Trump's New York hush-money trial, there has been a peculiar focus on how he should be addressed. While some refer to him as "President Trump" out of respect for the office he held, others opt for the more casual "Donald." This naming dilemma highlights the tensions faced by Trump and his defense team throughout the trial.

During his opening statement on Monday, Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche emphasized that Trump should be referred to as "President Trump" due to the office he held from 2017 to 2021 and his current status as the Republican nominee. However, longtime tabloid publisher David Pecker, who testified about conspiring with Trump in 2015 and 2016, revealed that he addressed him as "Donald" in their conversations.

Judge Juan Merchan has consistently greeted Trump as "Mr. Trump," the standard address for a defendant. This form of address has also been preferred by the prosecutors. The question of what to call Trump is just one of the unique aspects of this trial, but it underscores the delicate balancing act Blanche must perform between Trump, the former most powerful man in America, and Trump, the defendant.

Trump, recognizable with his trademark shock of orange-blond hair, insists on being referred to as "president" by his employees. This is not unusual for former presidents, as their aides often use terms like "Mr. President" long after their terms have ended. Moreover, Trump's defense team has strategic reasons for calling him "president." They argue that he should be immune from prosecution for acts committed during his presidency, which aligns with their broader legal and public-relations strategy.

However, Blanche is aware of the potential risk that a jury may be alienated if Trump appears to consider himself above the peers assigned to judge him. Thus, Blanche attempts to humanize his client, portraying him as a normal person who is not just a former president. He emphasizes Trump's roles as a husband, father, and an individual, similar to the jurors themselves.

While it is common for defense lawyers to humanize their clients, it becomes a unique challenge when dealing with a former president. Trump's family members have not appeared in court with him, despite their frequent presence during his presidential campaigns. Despite the prosecutors and defense lawyers' arguments, the jurors face the daunting task of passing judgment on a former president and prominent political figure who is charged with hiding an alleged affair through phony financial statements to win an election.

Ultimately, the jurors will have to decide whether Trump, regardless of the name he is called, is guilty or not guilty. As the trial continues, the question remains as to whether Trump, the most recognizable man on Earth, will face the consequences of his actions.